Team news and starting line-ups for Widnes Vikings v Hull FC at the Select Security Stadium in Super League on Friday, June 13 (kick-off 8pm). Read a match report and reaction at full-time.Hull FC
LEE Radford may only have made one change to his 19-man squad with Dean Hadley dropping out but his line-up could be tweaked.
Setaimata Sa will feature in only his second game, while Richard Horne is pushing hard for his first return in a month at the expense of Jacob Miller or Jordan Rankin.
Callum Lancaster will keep his wing berth as he looks to impress again.Possible Hull FC line-up:: Shaul; Talanoa, Crooks, Yeaman, Lancaster; Rankin, Miller; Houghton; Paea, Tuson, Westerman, Ellis, WattsSubs: Subs: Bowden, Heremaia, Paleaaesina, Sa, Thompson, HorneWidnes Vikings
DENNIS Betts will be able to call upon veteran hooker Jon Clarke once again after he missed the Cup victory, while Phil Joseph's presence back in the squad provides extra grunt up front.
Having rotated many of his players last week, Widnes will still have plenty of fresh legs on show with the likes of Hep Cahill and Paul Johnson coming back in.Possible Widnes: Hanbury; Flynn, Dean, Marsh, Owens; Brown, Gilmore; Clarke; Clough, Tickle, Leuluai, Galea, Kavanagh.Subs: Allen, Cahill, Craven, Johnson, Joseph, WhitePlayers to watch
WITH another Challenge Cup semi-final to look forward to and his side sitting well placed in Super League, it's been a good start to life at Widnes for Danny Tickle.
As one of Hull's all-time top points scorers, Tickle's place in the history of the Black and Whites is assured.
A reliable second row who runs a good line and very rarely has a poor game, Tickle's attributes are similar in many ways to the man who will try and stop him tonight, Gareth Ellis.
Hull's captain may only have played the first half at London after being concussed, but his display was still good enough to leave a lasting memory.
Of the Hull squad, there's only Joe Westerman who can challenge Ellis to being the club's best player so far this year.
The form and impact with and without the ball which many had hoped to see last year is now a regular feature of Ellis' game and if he can replicate his 40 minute display against the Broncos tonight, Tickle and the rest of Widnes' right side will have difficultly making their mark on proceedings.
Tickle's form has been good of late and he'll love getting one over on his former side, but Hull know him well and should be able to handle that threat from him.Widnes form guide
AFTER a good start to the season, the Vikings have run aground in recent weeks with a patchy run of form. While they may have won last time out in the Challenge Cup against Keighley Cougars, in Super League Dennis Betts' side have not been as successful.
Having lost at home to Wakefield Wildcats, the Vikings returned to winning ways at the Select Security Stadium against Salford Red Devils, but were then beaten a week later by Castleford Tigers.
Two weeks ago, in their last league clash they drew with Catalan Dragons.James Smailes' view
KEPT scoreless at home, it was with a sense of embarrassment that Hull FC's players last left the field against Widnes Vikings.
Almost expecting to win, Hull suffered their first home defeat of the season with a whimper, but it could so easily have been different had they converted one of many early chances.
And as the two teams meet again tonight on the iPitch, it's making the most of a fast start which is imperative.
Widnes may only sit seventh in Super League but, with a game in hand, that could easily be fifth and their performances since that 7-0 victory indicate they will be tough to dislodge from the top eight.
One of a handful of teams Hull are in hot pursuit of as they bid to climb the league ladder, the Black and Whites' play-off chances don't hang on a positive result. But it is still hard to ignore the importance of winning this match.
Hull need to put a run together and with Catalan up next and Wakefield the week after, this is the perfect time to do just that as they play sides in and around them in the table.
An extra week to prepare is advantageous, but the pressure is on to make the most of having a free weekend.
Stopping Kevin Brown is clearly key, with his form deserving of an England call despite being bizarrely overlooked.
To do that Hull need their pack to be dominant. But with good agile runners like Liam Watts and Setaimata Sa among their ranks, they can capitalise on what is expected to be a fast game in warm conditions on a quick pitch.
Regardless of how well the forwards do, Hull's halves have to take the lead from Brown and his Widnes counterparts by being dominant and especially effective in the right areas.
Despite scoring a half century of points against London, there's lots for Hull's attack to improve on and coach Lee Radford will hope to see a more controlled and direct game from his half-back combination tonight.
